Thursday, November 2, 2017

With all of the fake news out there, me always looking for a chance to prove something wrong, I couldn’t wait to visit Mexico and see what all the commotion was all about! My seatmate was scared about the unknowns. As she put it, “with all the $hit going on out there, I don’t know why I’m even going!” I tried to assure her she’d be fine and as long as she didn’t do the wild and crazy things people from Green Bay do, she’d be fine. She smiled and corrected me - she wasn’t exactly a cheesehead, just had a Green Bay zipcode. Funny enough, upon our return, our paths crossed again in the airport as we were getting ready to board our flight back to the Midwest. I asked her how she enjoyed her vacation. Her reply? I barely remember what she said because her facial expression said it all. She had fun! She got a tan, had her first tequila shot, went ziplining and even made plans to do it all again very soon! With a smirk on my face I also asked her about the cartel and tainted alcohol - she sheepishly blushed a little and said how silly she felt for letting that all almost prevent her from going altogether. It was like she was set free from her own fear factory. I was so happy for her!

So if you’ve ever thought about going to Mexico but dismissed it for one reason or another, I’m going to share my Top 5 reasons you should visit Cancun ~

1) Weather

My weekly forecast for Cancun wasn’t as bad as my home forecast for 10” of snow in October but I’m not going to lie, I wasn't excited about the 85% chance of rain each day. Turns out, my brain can’t seem to remember in between trips to the tropics that 85% chance of rain means something completely different than 85% chance of rain back home. In the tropics, it rains almost daily. The difference is that it’s a light rain most likely accompanied with sunshine at the same time. And it’s so short that it’s like a quick shower to cool off the fauna and give them a little drink before the next round of blissful sunshine and warm temperatures. So yes, it did rain almost everyday but did it ruin my vacation? Not a bit.

2) Food

When you visit an all inclusive resort there will be more food than you can (or should) consume during your stay. However, the food has come a long way since the beginning of the all you can eat concept. In fact, more and more resorts are doing away with the buffets and limited a la carte dinner options. Now you can find mostly reservation free dining and menus that are full of variety. Because there was so much goodness on these menus, we found it way more fun to simply tell the waiter to serve us what he thought was the best. Since we didn’t know what much of it was anyways; what’s the difference between a tostada, enchilada and tacos? Nothing. They are all fabulous!

3) Off Property Activities

Most travelers I send away are looking for more than 7 days of beach time. They enjoy the pool activities, water sports and even nightly entertainment but they are looking for more local infusion to some level. Not everyone wants to visit an orphanage or school but if they do, I can make it happen. But if you are looking for a unique experience such as swimming in an underground cave or riding a camel or even snorkeling throughout an underwater museum that is here in Cancun as well. While I was here, we went to a Cirque du Soleil show. Very Vegas-y without the gluttony of Vegas. In fact, it had a nice Spanish flair to it. Joya was a 90 minute show full of acrobatics, dance, singing and even a few comedic antics. The bottle of champagne and delicious appetizers from from fresh shrimp to gourmet chocolates was a nice touch too. I highly recommend this for groups or even a night out as a couple.

4) New Resorts

If you’ve been to Cancun in the last 5 years you need to come back because so much has changed! The resorts have been refurbished. The resorts have changed management and even names. The resorts are better than they’ve ever been! The resorts of before boasted multiple buffets, multiple rooms and hundreds of lounge chairs. The resorts of today boast multiple restaurants that you order from a menu a la carte and in one evening you could dine around the world! Asian, Italian, Brazilian, Mexican, Lebanese and even Peruvian! The rooms today offer expansive bathrooms, aromatherapy and pillow menus, even two person jacuzzis either on the balcony or in the room! Paired with 24 hour room service, unlimited wifi and calls back to the US, there’s not much room for some to even leave their room!

5) People

At the end of the day, a resort with all the amenities, an impeccable weather forecast, a peppering of extra activities and food whenever and wherever you want it does not make it a good vacation. The people who work in the tourism industry are! From the driver who brought me to the resort and we chatted the entire way from talking about news headlines to weather to Trump, he was very kind and his smile was a sincere “welcome to Mexico”. The ladies who tidied up my room each day and left me handmade chocolate on my pillow were oh so sweet that I even left behind a few pieces of clothing and jewelry for them. Our waiters, servers, front desk, bartenders and even bellmen were all a pleasure to see and interact with. Never once did I feel like I was bothering them or they were having a bad day. No attitudes, only gratitude. Sometimes I think more people should take a vacation just to see how other employees interact with customers. We could learn a lot!

Viva la Mexico! And when you have your vacation time off, give us a call or drop us a message - one of out travel experts would love to send you on your very own Divine Destination!

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Tell them what you are looking for in a vacation; the good bad and unknown; a good agent will steer you in the right direction, especially since they probably have first hand experience. Yes we all have access to Trip Advisor, however, in my opinion, I have a Trip Advisor Pro account; I am connected with hundreds of travel professionals around the world who are very candid about their experiences. In fact, in our office we have our own little Black Book, or list of resorts on a “Do Not Sell” list because we don’t want our clients to waste their hard earned money and precious vacation time on sub-par experiences.

Secure the vacation with a small deposit and make payments like lay away. No, lay away didn’t go out in the 80s in fact, that’s one of the best ways to pay for your vacation! Instead of paying for it all at once leaving your credit card smoking, you can secure your trip with as little as $50/pp and pay as you go. As long as it’s paid off by the final payment, most agents don’t care if you have a payment plan set up or not.

Get special extras without having to pay for them including hidden discounts. There really isn’t much that brings more joy to me after knowing my clients have had a great vacation except for when I am able to delight them with extras that they knew nothing about. Like a bottle of chilled sparkling wine awaiting their arrival in their suite or even a selection of handmade chocolates with a note to say “hope you are enjoying your trip” when they are halfway across the globe. The best is when I can say “thank you” for your loyalty and even service by offering discounts for returning guests or military personnel.

Check in like a rockstar and not just a number since a good agent will have contacts in the resort setting you apart. There are not many worse words to hear after traveling all day than to hear, “We’re overbooked”. That commonly happens on the airplane and the hotel when people book online with some suppliers. When you trust your trip to an agent you can rest easy knowing your seat and pillow will be waiting for you. In addition, we like to alert the resort of our VIP clients (you) who are arriving so they too can be ready to greet you like the VIP you are.

If the price drops so does your balance. If the price drops or a sale presents itself offering a better value than previously booked, we are able to rebook and pass the savings back to you. We are notified of the sales so you don’t have to watch for them. Once we had a sale that dropped the rooms by $500! That’s a lot of swimsuits, sundresses and strappy sandals at venus.com!

If you have a problem, “yo I’ll solve it!” The world is an imperfect place, even in the most perfect looking destinations. Thankfully, if you should experience a problem, you are never left to your own devices to figure it out. You have access to a destination help line 24/7 in addition to me! So when the ocean view room overlooks the dumpster, or the pre arranged shuttle leaves without you or you realize your passport has expired and you are scheduled to leave in 24 hours, you can breath a sigh of relief knowing that you have an agent in your corner.

These are just a few of the reasons why you should consider having us book your next trip. I look forward to talking with you and booking your next dream vacation!

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Have you ever walked on Roman roads, sailed down the rivers of kings and felt the strange become the familiar? Have you ever taken a journey that brought the world to life and somewhere along the way did the same to you? Have you dreamed of taking a vacation that was as easy as simply packing your bags? A vacation where every Last Detail has already been thought of and all you have to do is wake up and enjoy each and every day? If you’d like to answer “Why yes, I have” come journey with us on a River Cruise and see the fascinating people, places and things along the world’s legendary rivers of Europe, Asia, and Egypt as well as the Galapagos Islands. Did you know that you could travel for FREE just by being a group leader? By being a group leader, you will help grow a group, however, you won’t need to be a travel agent! Divine Destinations can take care of those details, simply chose the itinerary you want and start telling your friends! Want to host a “sneak peek” party complete with wines and cheeses from the region? We’d love to help you enhance your party and get your group together so you can travel for free! Ready to get started? Call us at 218-348-2825 and we’ll look forward to designing a new European experience for you – on the river!!

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

The island of Bali is a well-known tourism destination in Indonesia. Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, the triangular area of tropical marine waters with an incredibly high biodiversity of marine species, containing at least 500 species of reef-building corals. This makes for world-class diving where travelers can explore beautiful and unique reefs right off the coast of the island. Other popular water activities include surfing, sailing, yachting, white-water rafting and sport fishing.

The climate in Bali is fairly even year-round. In low elevations, daytime temperatures can vary between 70 and 90 degrees, with temperatures becoming much cooler in the mountains. From December to March, the west monsoon can bring heavy rain and high humidity but rains tend to start in the late afternoon or evening and pass quickly. From June to September, humidity is low and it can be cool in the evening. There is typically not a lot of rain during that time of year.

The volcanic nature of Bali has created beautiful black sand beaches, but travelers looking to enjoy white sand beaches will be happy, too, since the southern part of the island has beaches with fine-grain white sand..

While the rest of Indonesia is largely Muslim, Bali is dominantly Hindu. Visiting a Hindu temple in Bali is truly extraordinary and easy to do. Customary law requires that every village construct and maintain at least three temples, giving travelers many opportunities to experience this integral part of Hinduism.

From world-class scuba diving to the many amazing Hindu temples, Bali has something for every traveler. Just one visit will show travelers how beautiful the island is and make them yearn to come back to learn even more about this exotic island and its culture.

If you would like to book your next vacation to the exotic destination of Bali give me a call and let's start planning.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Avid vacationers always ask me where are the best places to go that are NOT the usual tourist destinations. I like to tell them Offshore Islands. This week I would like to share with you some of my favorites.

Mexico - Isla Holbox

This is the Mexican island that time forgot. Frequent visitors here would like to keep it a best-kept secret, but word has trickled out about its beautiful beaches and car-free streets. Isla Holbox is about 40 miles northwest of Cancun, and you can drive to Chiquila and take a 20-minute ferry ride or charter an air taxi flight from Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Honeymooners rejoice in the stripped-down feel of the island, with its sand streets, low-rise buildings and back-to-basics, bohemian feel. This is a holiday spot with tons of personality. Cars aren’t allowed on the compact island (it’s just a mile wide), so visitors and locals get around by golf cart, bike and moped. While the main town is worth a gander and spending the day soaking up the sun on a tranquil beach is enticing, there is also a whole natural world above and below the waterline. Holbox is home to more than 150 species of birds, including exotic beauties you only see in picture books, and adventurous honeymooners can kayak through the mangroves or the shallow waters formed by the sandbars to see them.

What to do: Isla Holbox is located within Mexico’s largest ecological reserve, Yum Balam, and there are dolphins near the reefs, pink flamingos, and pelicans in the shallow lagoons, and endangered wildlife such as nesting turtles and sea swallows that find sanctuary here. Giant whale sharks visit these waters from June to September, and swimming with them is a singular experience. Most boat tours include a trip to Isla Pasion and a visit to Yalahau, a fresh-water cenote perfect for a refreshing dip.

Where to stay: Colorful CasaSandra is truly a home away from home. Fully embracing the notion of “barefoot luxury,” the boutique hotel’s 18 rooms are filled with locally made furniture, hand- woven linens and world-class artworks. Rene Redzepi, the chef of Copenhagen’s Noma, currently regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world, is a fan of the fresh fish and seafood served here, and the wind-kissed, thatched palapitas (small day beds) are just steps from the ocean.

Isla Mujeres:

For decades, Isla Mujeres served as a quick day-trip destination for couples holidaying in Cancun, but the colorful island’s soulful allure has beguiled discerning honeymooners, who now spend their entire getaways here. Only eight miles from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is a destination in its own right, with beautiful beaches that rival those in Riviera Maya, and crystal- clear, turquoise waters that cast a tantalizing spell on beach lovers. An underwater sculpture museum draws curious scuba divers, and an important archaeological site in Punta Sur adds a dash of history for a well-rounded experience.

What to do: Adventure-seeking couples can get up-close and personal with whale sharks that congregate here between June and September. The whale sharks are gentle creatures that can grow as large as 60 feet. Have a shark phobia? Visitors can instead choose to stay aboard the charter boat and watch these magnificent creatures swim in the clear waters below.

Where to stay: The zen Zoetry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres is a beachside sanctuary with 35 spacious oceanfront suites — each with a private terrace and outdoor Jacuzzi — drenched in sunlight. Most honeymooners find it hard to leave their suite, let alone the sublime beach, infinity pool and Thalasso Spa with outdoor seawater hot tub.

Cozumel:Cozumel indisputably reigns as the island for overnighting honeymooners, and with very good reason. The pristine waters here are just as alluring as Mexico’s most ancient Mayan ruins. Snorkeling and scuba diving is a major highlight, thanks to Cozumel’s coral reef — one of the largest in the world — and white-sand beaches framed by the picture-perfect blue sea. Less than five percent of its 189 square miles is developed, which gives it bona fide island charm: authentic, family-run shops, pastel buildings and a quaint town square. Most visitors hop on rented scooters to explore small Mayan ruins, the lush marine park and art galleries.

What to do: Don masks and fins for some daytime fun snorkeling in popular spots like Chankanaab lagoon, known for abundant marine life, and Paradise Reef, a gorgeous protected area with exotic fish, lobster and even octopus. Experienced snorkelers head to San Francisco Reef, a shallow wall dive that’s home to friendly sea turtles. For day excursions, it’s easy to coordinate with your hotel or even hire a driver.

Where to stay: The 220-room InterContinental Presidente Cozumel Resort Spa is the only five-star resort on the island. Its excellent location within the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park on a half-mile of sugar-white beach means guests have unlimited access to some of the most thrilling swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving on the island.

For more information on these locations or help booking your next vacation please contact me. I look forward to talking with you.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Hi I’m Jen Maki with Divine Destinations. I run an award winning travel agency and for the past 9 years I’ve been traveling the world which allows me to share some travel tips with you. Today’s travel tip is, let the experts do what they do best – get you the best value for your vacation dollar!

I once had a bride who was trying to keep her Honeymoon budget to a minimum. So she went online and found a “deal” that included flights out of MSP, no transfers to the resort (which of course means she has to hail a cab in a foreign country) and then a standard ROH room. She asked me if I could price match that. I was happy to do so, as we will gladly price match ANY package you find online plus give you a $50 credit towards your next vacation, however, before I did that, I showed her the package I was able to design for her:

The package I was able to put together included flights from Duluth, a private transfer which included a driver holding a sign with their name on it which made it super easy to find where to go and saved precious vacation time by getting them to the resort faster, once they got to their resort, a complimentary upgrade was waiting for them along with a bottled of chilled champagne in their room. Because they were celebrating their Honeymoon, they also received breakfast in bed with mimosas, a complimentary candlelit dinner on the beach, a hot bubble bath with sparkling wine and rose petals in the room, a couples massage and late check out the day of departure. The price difference between the two packages wasn’t a lot but it did prove to be a big difference in value. Remember, a cheap price isn’t always a good deal.

Your Honeymoon will be your first trip together as Mr/Mrs, so it’s better to leave your special vacation to the experts, after all, this is one trip you will remember the rest of your life. Make it a Divine Destination to remember!

Are you ready to get started planning your picture perfect Honeymoon? Go to our website and click on the “Get Started Now” icon on the top right corner. Then fill out the quick and easy travel questionnaire and then set a time where we can chat more about the Honeymoon you’ve always dreamed of. I make dreams come true. Don’t wait – let’s get started today!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

So you are lucky in love, eh? Well, join the club! Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the US with over 80 THOUSAND marriage licenses issued annually! I had heard it is the easiest place to wed since there are little restrictions. Unlike marrying abroad, you don't have a waiting period, there are no blood tests and they do ceremonies 24 hours a day 365 days a year! Here you can marry as young as 16, same sex is recognized and this IS a legal marriage recognized around the world! As I traveled to Sin City for a conference geared towards romance travel experts, I decided to walk a mile in the shoes of someone looking to tie the knot in the famous city. It was insanely eye opening to say the least! Allow me to share with you…..

Upon landing in Las Vegas I was welcomed with blazing sunshine and endless options for couples looking to wed. A quick google search gave me a one sheet on “How to Get Married in Las Vegas”. Because it seemed to be as easy as 1-2-3, I decided to see for myself. A short and inexpensive Uber drive to the Marriage License Bureau from the hotel off the strip was about $7. This office is open from 8am - midnight every day of the year to accomodate the demand. Once inside, the TSA looking lines show proof that thousands come here annually but it was fairly quiet for a Monday. Only 2 couples were in line (plus a bun in the oven!) and this proved to be a very fast process with so few people. If you want to ensure a faster process, you can go online, fill out the application and walk down the expressway to marriage bliss.

Today, all lines were expressways! Either line is a lucky double sevens ($77) for your license; cash is preferred but cards are accepted for a 3% fee. Once your license is printed you take this to the officiant and exchange your vows. If you haven’t had the foresight to book a chapel, no worries! There are plenty of people outside the building who are passing out their congratulations and fliers.

After the hardest part is done, taking the first step, the natural second step is to toast yourselves! Just a short Lyft away (don’t bother to hail a cab, they are not willing to make the short trip) you can have a glass of bubbly, order some food or even zip line down Fremont Street hand in hand!

My curiosity is heightened by the ease of holy matrimony here. I mean, what many lament for months over was done in nano seconds in comparison! I proceeded to use my dear friend Google again and search the nearby wedding venues. No surprise, the map was peppered with options that made it look like Vegas had the chicken pox! A quick online reservation form showed me that they were accepting reservations as soon as, well, within the hour!

A short 2 block stroll, I found myself in a trendy area called Container Park. Here I saw a clean assortment of dining, shopping and of course wedding venues. A stark contrast of the ways of Fremont Street I just came from. On the third floor was a chic and trendy boutique called Lucky Little Chapel. It is here where you can wed in your jeans for as little as $99 (and 8 professional photos!) or go all the way and fancy yourself up with traditional wedding attire. Everyone here was super sweet, professional and fun! A minister will lead you through vows or you can say your own. In as little as 10 minutes later (probably less) you can walk out legally bound in a marital institution. Afterall, marriage is an institution, right? The marriage certificate you will receive is just a souvenir but the real deal is available online about 10 days later. In addition, your photographs are delivered via email using dropbox inside of 5 minutes.

In conclusion, I can tell you I truly had no idea how easy (and inexpensive) it is to get hitched in Vegas. Honest. But being the romance expert who does tons of Destination Weddings annually, I figured I should really know more about this! I also learned that you can marry just about anywhere you dream of wearing anything you’d wish! They have endless options, costume shops and ministers who are just as open minded as the couples who request them! I asked a local wedding planner what was the craziest request ever and she said: a couple wanted to wed in a parking ramp at 1:00am on New Year's Eve and the officiant had to dress up as Lady Gaga….wowsers! For those looking to say “I do” on roller coaster, or plunging off the side of a hotel to drive thrus or even at a fast food chain - Vegas does not disappoint!

If you’d like to consider tying the knot in Vegas, I’d love to help you through this journey! Bringing a group? I can ensure your friends and family’s travel is coordinated, they get the best value and your events from the night before to the morning after are all seamlessly coordinated so you can focus on your wedding day! All you have to do is pack your bags! I'll look forward to chatting with you soon!

Thursday, April 20, 2017

I would like to share with you 5 amazing things to do in Mexico City, Mexico. There are always tourist attractions to visit like everyone else that goes to Mexico City sees. But why not make your trip extra unique and see Mexico City differently than the other visitors?

1. Walking Tour

If you are up for walking and taking in the sites, you can go an a professionally guided walking tour of Mexico City. The real Mexico is hidden along side of all the landmarks and tourist sites. On the walking tour you will get the behind the scenes view of what Mexico City has to offer. This tour will reveal a rich blend of people, their culture and their lifestyles.

2. Salón Los Angeles

Do enjoy dancing and good cultural music? This is just the place for you. When you walk into Salón Los Angeles you will be engrossed in Latin American entertainment. The large open dance floor invites you to feel and enjoy the rhythms of the music and all that it has to offer from salsa to the cumbia, you will enjoy the vibe here. Their slogan is ‘Whoever doesn’t know Salón Los Angeles, doesn’t know Mexico’.

3. The Market

Visit Mercado de Medellín. Medellín is a neighborhood market that offers a glimpse of what is being lost as time moves on. Stalls filled with vendors selling fresh spices, fresh fruit juices or sheets of chicharrón are ready and waiting for you. For a traditional lunch at the market, look for Los Canarios. They have been serving grilled meats, like sliced filet mignon a la tabla since 1968. In the market you are sure to find something to love.

4. Maximo Bistrot

A subdued elegant corner bistro that is run by a young husband-and-wife team. With an open kitchen and a handwritten daily menu you will soon learn that this is not your typical restaurant. They set up Maximo Bistrot to showcase fresh produce from in and around Mexico City. The service is excellent and reservations are required.

5. Sunday Bikes

Sunday mornings bring something special. The Paseo de la Reforma which is Mexico City’s grand boulevard, is closed to car traffic and becomes a bike/walking highway for a few hours. This is a wonderful sight, people pedaling past some of the city's most famous attractions. You can join in the fun too. Stop by one of the communal EcoBici bike places or talk to your hotel desk to make a reservation to rent a bike for the event. But think ahead as the EcoBici’s are not open on Sunday’s. And if you're not good on a bike no worries along the bike route are many volunteers manning junctions, repair stations and medical tents (just incase) or you could walk.

For more information on Mexico City, Mexico or any other destination please contact me.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

The most extravagant trip I have ever booked for someone had all the bells and whistles and spared nothing when it came to expense. The reason? My client felt he had waited too long to take this trip that his wife had dreamed of for so long. “She always wanted to go to Hawaii”, he told me. But life got in the way. His business was launching and then expanding and becoming extremely successful, however, ironically enough as his business success grew, his personal success plummeted. He got older, fatter, and wiser. Hey, don’t we all? And this year he was going to make it memorable - he was going to surprise his wife with the ultimate birthday gift and I Love You More gesture - So I booked a multi-island itinerary, a second Honeymoon per say. We incorporated a day trip to the waterfalls by helicopter, explore the Road to Hana and even go zip lining through the rainforest! Each night there was something to look forward to; whether a luau or a candlelight dinner on the beach. Each day had some sort of surprise sprinkled in from a romantic couple’s massage to a relaxing beach day with no expectations. He was so proud of himself for hiring me to arrange the details; he said it was so easy he, “wished he would’ve done it sooner!”

So I made the reservations for the B&B where they would stay for the weekend, he picked up flowers from a local vendor I suggested, wine and a Hallmark card and off they went with two completely different intentions in mind. Upon checking in and uncorking the wine, he simply couldn’t contain himself. He had to give her the birthday gift NOW! So he excitedly told her that he had something very special to give her and it just couldn’t wait. She then surprised him by saying she too had something to give him. As they exchanged Hallmark cards, they couldn’t be more polar opposites. One said, “I love you now let’s go to Hawaii” while the other said, “I don’t love you anymore, let’s get a divorce.”

A little too much too late? I’m afraid so. An isolated story? Not a chance! In fact, although this story is a hybrid; made up of many true stories I see day after day. This isn’t about one client in particular, but many I have worked with. The moral of the story is don’t wait. Just do it.

If you have any questions on this topic or any other travel topics please contact me.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Believed to be the heart of the Maya civilization, Belize offers travelers the life-changing opportunity to explore Mayan ruins at more than 1,400 recorded Mayan sites. Lamanai, Xunantunic, Caracol and Altun Ha are excellent archaeological sites to visit to explore what remains of the ancient civilization.

After visiting Mayan ruins, travelers can head to the Museum of Belize to see the largest carved jade Mayan object ever discovered as well as many other Mayan artifacts. The museum is housed in a former prison, making it an interesting destination in itself.

Travelers who want to be a bit more active have many choices when visiting Belize. Scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, caving…the list of adventurous activities in Belize never ends. Divers should head to Great Blue Hole, considered one of the best diving spots in the world. Located 43 miles from the mainland, the submarine sinkhole is over 900 feet across and 400 feet deep. Scuba divers can experience striking stalactites and many different species of fish. The Great Blue Hole is suited best to experienced divers, but snorkeling is very popular and enjoyable there.

Belize is home to other natural wonders, such as the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which touches the coasts of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras as well as Belize. 185 miles of the reef are just off the coast of Belize (it stretches almost 700 miles in total) is home to 60 types of hard corals, over 500 species of fish and an abundance of other marine life. As the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize and Belize’s most popular destination. It embodies a casual lifestyle full of watersports and the country’s best restaurants and nightlife. Travelers to Ambergris Caye can swim with nurse sharks and stingrays at Hol Chan Marine Reserve or watch a soccer game at the public field. There are many low-key and also active things to do in Ambergris Caye.

Traveling to Belize is quite easy for Americans, as it’s the only English-speaking country in Central America (English is Belize’s official language). Currency exchange is easy as well, as the Belize dollar is locked at $2.00 for every $1.00 U.S., making it easy to understand how much money is being spent. But exchanging currency is not always necessary, as many businesses accept American money.

Belize offers a wonderful mix of things to do and see which makes this a popular destination. With more and more flights daily to Belize, it’s more accessible than ever before! What are you waiting for? Let’s get you to Belize before it’s an overpopulated tourist trap!

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

ALOHA!! Did you know that the state of Hawaii is made up of 8 main islands? Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island of Hawaii. That’s a lot of islands to choose from…..which one do you spend your vacation on? Selecting the best one to visit can be a daunting task for first time visitors. (Just so you know you honestly can’t go wrong with any of them.)

Here are some highlights of 4 of the most visited Hawaiian islands to help you choose:

Oahu (The Gathering Place) is the most visited of all the islands. Oahu has the state capital of Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, and the famous Waikiki Beach. Oahu has an amazing climate, inexpensive lodging, a large variety of shopping, a gorgeous mountain range and 3 of the islands best beaches. The famous north shore is a surfers paradise. This island sees about 4.7 million visitors each year.

Maui (The Valley Isle) is the second most visited island. Maui is often called "The Playground of the Wealthy". Maui caters to those looking for more expensive accommodations and privacy. With that being said Maui does have a very wide variety of resorts, hotels, condos, and private rentals available across the island. But don't worry if high priced accommodations aren't in your budget, Maui caters to all types of budgets. Maui features many spectacular beaches, volcanoes in the center of the island, waterfalls in numerous valleys, Hana Highway and lush green land to enjoy lots of outdoor adventures. Maui sees about 2.4 million visitors each year.

Hawaii (The Big Island) is the third most popular island for visitors. Many of the Big Island visitors say that the Kailua-Kona area has the most fantastic weather, abundant shopping, and loads of dining options. It also provides a wide selection of accommodations from high end resorts to condominiums. The Big Island features crystal clear waters that provide amazing snorkeling and diving opportunities, terrific beaches, several luxury accommodations and Hilo and the Puna region which house the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Big Island sees approximately 1.6 visitors each year. (I bet this number surprises you since it is the biggest island of them all. You would think there would be more visitors)

Kauai (The Garden Island) is the fourth most visited island. The island has more coastline filled with beaches than any other island in the chain. Kauai features beautiful mountain scenery, a variety of hidden beaches, incredible shopping and dining, Hanalei Bay, an abundance of sunshine, and Waimea Canyon (which Mark Twain dubbed it "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific"). Kauai sees 1.3 million visitors each year.

If Hawaii is your next travel destination and you still need some help deciding please give me a call and I would be happy to help you share with you about other islands in the chain that may be the best fit for you and your vacation.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Generally speaking, the short answer is yes. The long answer goes like this:

Be Smart - don’t get all liquored up at the swim up bar and then venture downtown. In short, if you wouldn’t do it at home, don’t try it abroad.

Be Calculated - know who your friends are and where they are. If you want to go out, be sure to have the front desk call a reputable taxi for you and once you arrive at your destination, agree upon a meeting time and place for a seamless pickup and return.

Be Aware - always know your surroundings and stay close to travel buddies in busy crowded areas. Pick-pocketers and other scammers lurk in crowds.

Be Prepared - do have enough money to get around with and don’t forget to tip, especially your friendly taxi driver who got you safely from point A to B.

Be Nice - this seems so simple but it goes a long way regardless of which country you are in

Be Happy - if you spent money to stay inside of the pearly gates of your all inclusive compound, do just that. All inclusives are designed to keep you busy with bars, pools, games of beach volleyball, tennis and even lawn chess not to mention the water sports and evening entertainment.

Be Proactive; check the US travel warnings before you depart so you know of any specific threats or things to watch for.

Be Protected by enrolling yourself and itinerary in the STEP program. This will ensure if any threats or in climate weather delay your travels or put you out of contact, your family will still know your whereabouts, as will the US Government. WWW.STEP.STATE.GOV

For more information on this or any other topic please give me a call. I look forward to talking with you.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Are you and your partner finally ready to tie the knot? If so, you may be wondering how to get married abroad. Destination weddings are often the ideal route for many soon-to-be-married couples. They're exciting, fun, and allow for you and your closest relatives and friends to combine a vacation with a celebratory ceremony. But before you buy those plane tickets and pack something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue, here's what you'll want to do first:

Do your research. Planning a wedding in general is a rather daunting task, and planning one abroad is going to be even more challenging. Make sure you either know what you're getting yourself into. Consider hiring a wedding planner, or seek help from those who've "been there, done that."

Have proper documentation. You should be prepared to show valid identification abroad, and proof of you and your future spouse's currently single status. In other words, you'll need proper documentation to get married in many foreign countries. This will likely include your passport and a birth certificate, but it may also require a divorce decree or an affidavit of eligibility to marry. Blood tests and parental consent forms may also be required, depending on your age and the country you're tying the knot in.

Make sure your marriage is legal in the country you're choosing. Just because you exchanged rings and said "I do" on some remote beach in St Somewhere does not necessarily mean that you are now legally married. Different countries set their own legal requirements when it comes to marriage.

Make sure you've fulfilled the residency requirements. Most countries will also have residency requirements for couples to legally marry within their borders. This may involve being in the country for at least a week or two, or perhaps longer; there may also be some kind of waiting period. Residency laws vary so be sure to check ahead of time.

Make sure your foreign marriage will be valid back home. In general, your foreign marriage, if performed legally abroad, will also be valid in the United States. However, you may still have to take extra steps to get your marriage abroad recognized in your state. Check with your state attorney general's office, the State Department suggests.

Are you dizzy from all of this? No worries! I’d love to chat more about how I can help you with your Divine Destination Wedding abroad!

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

The parting of the sea - the sea of people flocking to the passport control lines has begun to get a little more manageable and dare I say enjoyable. That is, if you have Global Entry or the Mobile Passport app. The Mobile Passport app is the latest and greatest download every international traveler should have on their smart phone prior to landing back on US soil. It’s simple to get, simple to use and could very well allow you to love your next layover!

Here’s how it works:

Download the app from the App store or get it on Google Play

Set up your profile; you can even set up your entire family on one device!

Answer a few brief questions about your trip

Submit to CBP

Once you are at your port of entry (airport or sea port), connect to wireless or wi-fi and submit your data to CBP. Remember: when you submit, you are confirming under penalty of law that your information is correct. Within a few seconds, you will receive a CBP receipt with an encrypted barcode. Your receipt will be valid for 4 hours.

5) Breeze through Customs #LikeABoss

Follow the Mobile Passport Control signs to the designated Mobile Passport Control line. Show your passport to the CBP officer and scan the barcode on the CBP receipt. And that’s it!

Although the app won’t allow you to skip customs altogether, it will drastically shorten the time spent waiting in lines where officers bark orders such as “Don’t use your cell phones” or “NEXT!” or my favorite, “No videos or taking photos while in line” Sir, with all due respect, we just got back from an epic vacation don’t kill the vibe!

With all the time you just saved standing in line, you can go airport shopping, enjoy a few more minutes in the Sky Lounge or simply relax and smile knowing the worst part about vacation is getting to and from is getting just a little bit easier. So, with that being said, where in the world would you like to go next?